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Self Help Tools

If you have an eviction hearing soon, and will be going to court without a lawyer, you can practice representing yourself by playing RePresent: Renter! You'll learn how to prepare for court, what your rights are as a renter in Maine, what happens in court on the day of your hearing, and how to present evidence and cross-examine the other person in...

Can my landlord turn off my utilities or change the locks on my door or kick me out without going to court? No. It is illegal for your landlord to throw you out by force. Your landlord must get a court order before they evict you.

Is There Any Way I Can Get Back My Personal Property If It Is Being Held By My Landlord Or Someone Else?
Yes. If someone has taken your personal property without your permission, you can get a court order that allows you to get the property back.

Decide what you want to do. If you do not want to stay, but you need more time to move, call your landlord or the landlord’s attorney to see if you can settle the case. Your landlord must take several steps to legally evict you. These steps take a minimum of two weeks beyond the move-out date listed in the first notice. So, if you need more time,...

Emergency Assistance (EA) is a program run by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). EA helps children and their families with some emergencies. The program does not cover all emergencies. You have to have children in your home, but you do not have to be on TANF, to get EA.
If you qualify, EA will pay certain basic needs. For...